I liked The Magician King better than Leviathan Wakes.
Didn't Mira Grant almost win last year?

I think she came second in the count back.

A predictable short list, IMHO, but not a bad one. I'd probably like to see Leviathan Wakes win because my personal preference is for the Hugo to recognize SF, even though I liked A Dance With Dragons very much.

cgw, I'm not quite sure what you mean. Science fiction has always held sway at the Hugos. Fantasy often has trouble getting taken seriously. Three of the books on the list this year are SF, and while they may not be "hard" like books from the golden age, they aren't slouches either. Embassytown takes a pretty interesting look at language and Leviathan Wakes is a classic space opera story.

And yes, Feed nearly won last year. I was surprised to see Deadline on the list as it seemed to me that it wasn't quite as popular as the first book.

cgw, I'm not quite sure what you mean. Science fiction has always held sway at the Hugos. Fantasy often has trouble getting taken seriously. Three of the books on the list this year are SF, and while they may not be "hard" like books from the golden age, they aren't slouches either. .

What is the third?
I over looked Embassytown because I was think of Miéville as a fantasy writer. My error.
Among Others - fantasy?
A Dance With Dragons - fantasy
Deadline - horror?
Leviathan Wakes - scifi

Yes, and I loved it. I am aware that the book has some of negative reviews, mostly about the lack of a plot, the relatively weak ending and the main character who readers find annoying and unrealistic. I guess the main attraction to the jury was in the numerous references to classic titles and the importance of libraries and fan clubs.

I'm not in that camp, I had problems with a couple of scenes (her aunts and a trip with her dad) but really I hope there will be a sequel.

Yeah, I've read it. I sort of fall into the camp that algernoninc was talking about. While I quite enjoyed the book, I did feel that it was a little lacking. Because other than the SF references there really isn't much to the book. Everything else just feels tacked on to justify calling it a novel.

I suppose there could be a sequel, but it didn't feel like it would go that route. Especially as this book is already sort of a sequel or at least an "after" story.

While I quite enjoyed the book, I did feel that it was a little lacking. Because other than the SF references there really isn't much to the book.

That was my first impression, too. But now, two months after I finished the book, it has really grown on me. I think that it is much deeper than it seems. There is the question of whether what Mor writes in her diary (about magic and the fairies) is a true account of actual facts or just her interpretation. And that ties nicely (in my opinion) with her passionate love of science fiction. I could elaborate, but it would be too "spoilery".

That was my first impression, too. But now, two months after I finished the book, it has really grown on me. I think that it is much deeper than it seems. There is the question of whether what Mor writes in her diary (about magic and the fairies) is a true account of actual facts or just her interpretation. And that ties nicely (in my opinion) with her passionate love of science fiction. I could elaborate, but it would be too "spoilery".

No, I get what you're saying and I got all that. There's also the idea that

Spoiler:

whether any of that stuff is real at all or just a delusion created by Mor's mind

. It just didn't gel for me as much as I feel that it's been done better by other authors.